Fisheries lifts ban on bay lobster traps

Friday

May 18, 2018 at 3:01 AM

Set the traps and melt the butter.

The state Department of Marine Fisheries on Tuesday lifted its emergency closure on the setting of lobster traps and the reduced speed limit of 10 knots or less on small vessels in Cape Cod Bay after an aerial survey found no presence of right whales in the region. The marine animals can become entangled in the ropes used to mark lobster traps and haul the catch.

The fisheries department said that Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies had conducted an aerial survey of the bay on Monday as part of the state’s ongoing right whale conservation efforts.

“Clear weather conditions allowed PCCS’ aerial survey team to complete an entire survey of the bay and no right whales were observed . . . [the] lifting of the trap closure allows commercial and recreational fishermen to begin setting their lobster gear in the previously closed waters of Cape Cod Bay,” the state said.

It had extended the trap closure because in late April there was an aggregation of over 100 right whales feeding on dense zooplankton. Feeding right whales are susceptible to entanglement in vertical buoy lines.

The fisheries department noted, though, that as right whales are migrating off the Massachusetts coast, all mariners are advised to be cautious of their presence.

“It is unlawful to set or haul any lobster gear – or even approach - within 500 yards of a right whale. If you observe a whale entangled in fishing gear while on the water, report it immediately to the Center for Coastal Studies (800-900-3622), the Office of Environmental Law Enforcement (800-632-8075) or the National Marine Fisheries Service’s Entanglement Hotline (866-755-6622),” a statement from the fisheries department said.